Nine members of the Mandurah Ocean Club will compete in the World Outrigger Sprint Championships in Tahiti this week after winning a heavy swag of medals at last year’s national titles in Queensland.
The Mandurah club members will again be part of a contingent of clubs representing Western Australia.
At the national titles, the Mandurah members brought home the biggest collection of medals of any national team – five gold, five silver and seven bronze.
It will be a family affair for the Walker family from Yunderup.
Seven-year-old Tahiti-Rose will compete after winning gold in the minnows six-person canoe class and silver in the two-person canoe.
Her 10-year-old brother, Kai-Raina, has just gained sponsorship after being talent spotted by one of Tahiti’s top outrigger’s Roland Tere while holding a coaching clinic in WA recently.
He will compete in six-man and single canoe events.
Their sister Pounamu will represent Australia in the six-team Junior 19’s women’s crew after training with a Queensland crew that won silver in last year’s national event and their mother Rachael and father Ky will compete in the women’s and men’s six-person canoe events respectively as well as mixed teams.
Ky will also compete in the one-man canoe event.
Club spokesman Tim Trevenen said the world titles was the end of a two-year campaign for the club members.
“These guys have worked really hard to reach this point,” he said.
“They went to the national titles not knowing what to expect and, despite winning an impressive collection of medals, came back hungry to do better.
“They’re now stronger and lighter. It’s really impressive to see such a driving spirit.”
For more information on the Mandurah Ocean Club call Tim Trevenen on 0410 024 492.
